CIS RINGS NASDAQ OPENING BELL

Communities In Schools (CIS) rang the Opening Bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square today in preparation for a year of celebration that will mark the 40th anniversary of the national dropout prevention organization.

CIS President Dale Erquiaga was joined on the Nasdaq podium by CIS National Board Member Joe DiDomizio, network leaders, students and some of the school-based site coordinators who work with students in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Erquiaga said the event provided CIS an opportunity to call attention to the role that businesses play in helping CIS supported students graduate with the skills needed to successfully enter college and the workforce.

“We are so honored to be in Times Square at the crossroads of commerce,” said Erquiaga. “Every year, CIS site coordinators, based in schools, help low-income students at risk of dropping out by meeting some of their basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, medical services and much more. That wraparound support keeps them in school and on the path to graduation. We are only able to successfully serve 1.5 million students each year with the help of local business and community leaders who provide some of the resources that we bring into schools. We hope our presence at the Nasdaq reminds businesses, corporations and foundations of the need to continue that support and be "All in For Kids."

The Nasdaq Opening Bell represented the second opportunity for Communities In Schools to speak to the business and financial community in the last year. In December, 2015 CIS rang the Nasdaq Closing Bell. Click here to read about that ceremony.